Add Depth to Your Thai Temple Visit by Learning About Buddha Images Part 1
Buddha is shown in a “European Pose” (Pralambapadasana), and his hands are in the “Jungle Life” Mudra.
Why Were Images of the Buddha Made?
One doesn’t have to study Buddhism long before learning that Buddha had requested that no images or likenesses of him be created after his death (I mean his passing). His concern, as I understand it, was that people would worship the image, instead of focusing on his teachings.
It was explained to me that as the people of the Buddhist countries traveled, they saw the huge statues of Greek and other gods. They wanted to make sure that the importance of Buddhism was recognized as much as other religions, so images were created. Often, LARGE images.
The Two Most Important Features of a Buddha Image to Note
I think many of us, especially those with an artistic bend, are intrigued by the meaning of artwork and it makes us want to learn more. Each Buddha image has two important features to study: The position, or pose of the body and the position of the hands, or Mudra. By noting the width of the face, length of the ear lobes, etc., even more can be learned about where it was made, when, and what the image teaches us.
Let’s take a look at this rare and towering 75 feet tall, Buddha image from Wat Pa Lelai Worawihan in Suphan Buri, Thailand. Here Buddha is shown in a “European Pose” (Pralambapadasana) sitting in a chair, and his hands are in the “Jungle Life” Mudra. This recalls the time when the Buddha went to the Parileyyaka Forest to find peace after an argument broke out among his disciples. Upon seeing him, a monkey and an elephant knelt before the Buddha and presented him with a beehive for honey and a piece of fruit to greet and comfort him.
Sure, you can go visit temples all over Thailand, mostly for free, and just enjoy the scenery; but for me, knowing just a little about the story behind the temple and its artwork makes it so much more rewarding. If you’d like to see more blogs on this topic, please let me know in the comments below.
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Blog : English by George Edward Giunca
About the Authors
Photographer George Edward Giunca, and his Thai wife, Apisatha, have traveled around Thailand armed with a circular fisheye lens to create a photo essay on the rich cultural diversity, and abundant natural beauty of the Kingdom of Thailand. Fleeing from angry water buffaloes, slapping huge mosquitoes, watching exotic festivals and religious rituals, gorging on delicious spicy food, applying aloe vera cream to sunburned skin, wading through rice paddies, getting drenched to the bone by heavy monsoon rains, and gawking at breath-taking scenery; made it a journey of epic proportions! The result is the book, THAILAND 180º. Later, they traveled extensively through Myanmar, Malaysia, and India, gathering a massive collections of 180º photos. They currently live in Chiang Mai where they continue to blog and are now working on a CHIANG MAI 180º book.
หนังสือ – THAILAND 180º Collector’s Edition is a large 12×12″ coffee-table book (ISBN 9780615641548). This unique book contains over 450 fisheye photos highlighting Thailand’s rich cultural diversity, and abundant natural beauty is now available for order. See inside and get more information here > http://www.thailand180.com
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Why Is Our THAILAND 180º Book So Special? ~ ทำไมประเทศไทย180ºของเราถึงจองสุดพิเศษ? (In English and ภาษาไทย) https://www.giunca.com/EdWorld/2015/06/09/thailand-180o-collectors-edition/
Why Do We Use a Fisheye Lens ~ ทำไมเราใช้เลนส์ Fisheye? https://www.slideshare.net/180books/180-books-a-new-way-of-seeing
